Unwanted hair results from a related condition called hirsutism, which affects between 5 and 10 percent of women. This occurs when the body produces too much androgen. Instead of growing fine and light body hair or “peach fuzz,” an individual may grow coarse and dark body hair on the face, arms, chest, and back. Excessive hair may not be dangerous in itself, but it can trigger self-consciousness in affected individuals.
What Causes It?
Hirsutism occurs when the hormone levels in an individual become imbalanced. These imbalances can be triggered by the following medical conditions:
Polycystic ovary syndrome, which also leads to irregular periods, obesity, infertility, and the appearance of cysts in the ovaries
Cushing’s syndrome, which is triggered by overexposure to the hormone cortisol
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or abnormal production of steroid hormones (including cortisol and androgen) by the adrenal glands
Tumors in the ovaries or adrenal glands which happen to secrete androgen
Furthermore, hirsutism and unwanted hair can be influenced by three factors:
Family history - An individual whose close relatives have hirsutism is more likely to develop it herself
Ancestry - Hirsutism with no identifiable cause is more prevalent in women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian ancestry
Obesity - This leads to increased androgen production, which can worsen hirsutism
What You Can Do
The aforementioned medical conditions can be remedied by proper hormone management, commonly through anti-androgen medications or combination birth control pills. Eflornithine cream may also reduce the growth of unwanted hair. There is also the option to have unwanted hair removed, best done by an experienced dermatologist.
One solution offered by Skin MD is Elos hair removal, a hair reduction treatment. It uses bipolar radio frequency and laser light to disable hair follicles without any side effects, leaving you with smooth skin. Schedule a consultation with us today find out how we can help you feel as beautiful and confident as you’ve wished.
Say Goodbye to Unwanted Hair
With the help of our dermatologists at Skin MD, you can finally deal with unwanted hair and the self-consciousness it brings. Let us help you regain your confidence and show off your beautiful skin.
